random thoughts about fashion, food, travel, stories and parenthood

Category: Review

This was when everything wasn’t complicated and when OT is life (for me, since OT is still life for them. HAHAHA!)

This happened last January 2016, we decided to hang out here after dinner. I honestly forgot what happened that time and what are the tastes of their food and shakes. I just know that, there are better shakes out there to try. But since it was an impulsive decision and another time to spent with them and I think it was worth it.

Service : ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7 out of 10)
Food : ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ (6 out of 10)

Crepe Amelie is located at the ground floor of A Venue Mall. The crews were nice plus they don’t mind that we were a little bit (or super) loud! Hahahaha!

The store was cute. I like how they write the calligraphy. It was really nice. The place was clean too.

I don’t know what we ordered but I think it was a caffeinated shake. Plus I love that they serve the shake in mason jar. Love mother nature right? Hahahaha!

I really want to write a review about my experiences on various online shops. I had been an online shopper for quite some time now and would like to help other online shoppers on shops that they should trust or not.

But since I can’t seem find time to gather all my previous transactions, I decided to just review one at a time.

Last year, as I’m looking for Christmas gifts for #thesquadro, I came up with the idea of having a personalized passport holders since last 2016, I gave them overnight travel bags since we love to travel together, I think it was a good idea. After having thoughts and mind discussion (is there such a thing? hahaha!) I decided to give them personalized passport holder. After thorough inquiries to various online shops, I decided to buy at Oh! Travel Basic PH.

I know, I had faults here because I just placed my orders around December 19, 2018. But in my defense, according to their post, their cut off was every Tuesday and it will be shipped the next day. As I checked my calendar, yeah! I said, pasok! I paid before 10 pm as they instructed. I waited and waited. I followed up through out the week.

I figured after 3 days of following up that my package will not be delivered on time and we were leaving Manila around December 23, 2017. So I decided to buy another gifts for them. I gave them same travel pouches but in different colors.

I didn’t cancel the transaction, I didn’t ask for a refund, I just patiently waiting in the dark because they didn’t update me about my items.

I received a text from them last December 23, 2017 that the item was ready for pick up. Since I chose it to be picked up during the time of ordering since I think I could easily get it on time. But I was wrong. It was ready for pick up last December 23, 2017 but I was already in Pangasinan going to Baguio (where we celebrate our Christmas) So I told them I couldn’t.

They told me that their meet up schedule will resume on December 26, 2017. I told them to inform me what time on December 26. So the day came, I waited for their message. I asked them the time. They replied last December 30 if I could pick it up the same day, unfortunately, I read their text last December 31.

January 6, 2018 came, I told them I want them to shipped the item and made the deposit on January 18, 2018. I received the items last January 26, 2018.

You may think our transaction was completed. Nope! Because they misspelled my sister’s name on the passport holder. I checked my texts if I sent them correct names and I did. I told them that they misspelled it the day after I received the items. I got a text from them last February 1, 2018, asking me if when I could pick up the item.

To make it short, I haven’t got the item. I told them I would like it to be shipped and I will shipped the item I have. Unfortunately, it was the time they decided to go offline and we don’t know when are they going to be online again. They even disabled or uninstalled their viber account.

I don’t know why they couldn’t give it to me when in fact, they made a new one for my sister. I guess they couldn’t fixed their issues with other clients before going MIA.

So yeah, I haven’t heard from them ever since, and I still haven’t got my passport holder.

Lesson learned?

Even though they have nice reviews you’ll never know what will happen until it will happen to you.

Hi bibis! Again, I would like to apologized for being MIA. My laptop is broken and under repair as of the moment so I haven’t blogged for a while. It is good to be back and promise I will try to post as many and as often as possible.

Last February I spent my dinner with my friends. For those who read my blog since the very beginning, will know who are these friends since they’re with me when I started this blog.

I am a girl! (Yes for those of you who are wondering, I am 101% girl. hahaha) but since I love them so much, I have to travel from Makati to BGC just to see them. You see, in my opinion, it is easy to travel from BGC to Makati than Makati to BGC since the traffic in EDSA is never ending but since I love and miss them, initiated that I will be the one to go to BGC. The hell with the traffic right?!. Mind you it was rush hour so this was really stressing for me. I had to travel in habalhabal (a public motorcycle transportation) to ensure that I won’t be late.

I leave the office at 5:30 pm and arrived in Abe at passed 7PM (I think.) Even though I arrived late than the meeting time. They made me wait! See! they made me wait!!! hahaha. I really think that I am the most understanding friend ever! Because I had to ride a motorcycle. I had to endure walking from Jupiter St. Makati to Ayala MRT station so I have to meet them and they are late! Great right?!

I thought, before arriving in BGC and while walking in Makati Ave that it was me who’s going to be late but unfortunately, I was the one who asked for the waiter for our table and wait but all the stress and sweat that night are worth it!!

Abe restaurant is located in Serendra, BGC Taguig. At first I was hesitant to eat here since it looks expensive. But the food in the restaurant are really affordable.

Service : ★★★★★★★★★☆ (9 out of 10)
Food : ★★★★★★★★☆☆ (8 out of 10)

We ordered Sinigang sa Ube their signature dish I think. Gising gising and lechon kawali. I really like their dishes and also, if you add 10 pesos or 15 pesos you can upgrade your rice into an unlimited rice. Awesome right?! since I am with 3 boys, it is really great that they have unlimited rice. I am a rice person and I can eat up to 5 cups of rice depending on the situation. (But that was before, I think. I am into diet right now. Wherein I eat everything I want but in lesser portion. hahahaha! like for example. I eat 1.5 rice every meal, now I only eat .75. hahahhaha! My boyfriend told me that my diet is insane since he thinks that it is nonsense. He will say. “yen, hindi dapat ganyan ang pagdiet” and I answered. “Pede kaya to!” I will post another blog on this one since the comment in open close parenthesis is a paragraph na!)

Let’s get back to rice! yes. Rice. The most demonic and angelic food ever invented. (yes aside from pizza and ice cream!) You see, rice have carbs and sugar in one! but I can’t live without it! so the hell with carbs and sugar, I rice you!!! lol. I AM HOPELESS! I need personal help.

Sorry for the commercial of my rants about how I am so in love with rice and all. The gising gising is spicy and delicious. Although, I love my mother’s gising gising than this because she used sigarilyas as one of the ingredients, in Abe they use kangkong. You can taste the coconut milk and the spiciness of the chili pepper. It has a nice kick.

Next is Lechon kawali (Crispy pork belly). I have a lot of respect for those who cooked lechon kawali because believe me, They are not easy to cook. My father’s the one who do the cooking when lechon kawali is concern since he is not afraid of the oil. I love their lechon kawali. Because it is crispy and delicious, plus the sauce! The soy sauce and vinegar combined with onion. My gash. Heaven!!!!

Lastly, their signature dish. The sinigang sa ube. This was the dish that I was hesitant to order because I am not fond of ube. I don’t like halayang ube guys. Another fact about me. But goodness, the sinigang sa ube is to die for. It is delicious, although the soup is a little bit thicker or denser than the other sinigang, but it was the reason why their sinigang is delicious and one of a kind.

The food that we order are good for 5 or six person I think since we have leftovers.

I really had a great time with these guys! Actually we don’t have dull moments ever. We don’t use phones when we are together, we just have us and our talks and our laughs. We’re missing one person here. Hopefully next time, we will be complete.

But nonetheless, I am happy. Traveling from Makati to BGC in rush hour was nothing compared to the happiness I felt when I have moments with these guys.

You may ask, why am I the only girl here? Yes bibis, I am their princess, the only girl in the group but if you will made me choose if the girls in my office or these boys, I will choose them no matter what.

I miss chararat incorporated. Hope for another time with you guys!!!!

It is a lengthy post guys, but I hope you enjoyed it. My next post will be short. Promise!

Thanks loves!

Sidneyenyen x

P.S.

Don’t try to ride in uberpool or any other car pool if you want to rest immediately and sleep. I made a mistake guys. I won’t do it again. HAHAHA!

Last Sunday (September 1, 2013) we went to SM San Lazaro to unwind, as we’re strolling, we went to the Hayan Stall (located at upper ground floor near National Book Store) They’re having a 40 – 70% off on all products. HAH! lucky right?! You all know that I’m a sucker of discounts and promos. hahahaha! Anyways we got this Hayan vital cleansing cream for only 170+ (original price : 200+) and facial mask for only 15 PHP (original price 60 php) see how the big difference?

It got my attention for two reasons; firstthe sales lady told me to try it. and second it is a facial cleansing that doesn’t need rinsing. You may say that it’s a cream so why need to rinse! right? well, you’re right. but the thing is in some other cream. you need to wash your face first with soap or facial foam/wash but in vital cleansing cream you don’t need to do that. That’s the reason why I am happy I bought this one. because when I am tired I rather sleep than to wash my face. See I am lazy.

This is what it looks like. It is not as dense as othercream. To be honest it is almost as dense as water. So be careful when you pour it on your hand. A little squeeze is enough 🙂

So I made a little experiment for you gals to know how effective it is.

I applied ESKINOL facial cleanser on the left side of my face WITHOUT HAYAN Vital Cleansing Cream and on the other half I applied Vital Cleansing cream before the facial cleanser.

Without Hayan Vital Cleansing Cream

With Hayan Vital Cleansing Cream

Can you see the difference? too much dirt on the cotton without Hayan Vital Cleansing Cream right?

Other things that I like about this product is after using it my face became softer likewise with my little sister (she using it also) because of that, she’s applying the cream after applying the ESKINOL so that the soft and smooth effect of the cream will surely last.

The only problem on this product is that it doesn’t have a smaller version to carry for a trip or to place it on your make up kit.

and by the way.

HAYAN korea SM San Lazaro branch is still having a sale until Sept 14. I don’t know if its nationwide though.

I hope you find this review helpful and if you tried it please let me know the result. 🙂

This ain’t my first time to buy here. But this is the very first time that I will eat their subs. I can say that the crews are really funny and friendly even though my friend and I are so kulit while ordering and waiting. The place is clean by the way. My friend said that I looks like the subway. though I can’t tell you likewise because I’m not able to taste their food yet. Maybe some other time. hehehe 🙂

so here’s the menu. I ordered HONEY BACON CLUB regular while my friend ordered THE TRADITIONAL regular.

Though some of you may think that it is too pricey for a subs (or you may think that too pricey for a sandwich) but I guarantee you that this is worth it. why? because of the flavors. I really like the sweetness of the honey combined with the crunchiness of the lettuce and the juiciness of ham and bacon. they all compliment each other.

But the downside of this subs is that it is not as toasted as I like. but maybe you can request for another round of the sub in the toaster. I didn’t try, maybe next time 🙂

I’m addicted on sales (who doesn’t right?) so I always browsing on Ensogo, Cashcashpinoy and Metrodeal for their latest discounts and promos. As I browsed the website of Ensogo, I saw the promo/discount for Hayan BB cream for only 229 (original price 390) and silky face powder for 179 (original price 290) I got really big savings right? plus the ensogo main office is just a walking distance at my office so hassle free. it is like shopping with DISCOUNT. So as I saw these promos, I am not hesitant to buy. why? because of these reasons:

my sister says that the products are good. (Actually we had a little discussion about Korean products wherein we compare the etude house and hayan. She told me that etude house products are really good but too pricey for us. then Hayan, same made in Korea but affordable. She says that we should try it because of the good feedback)

affordable (if the promo is not available, I can still continue using the product because it is affordable)

But let me tell you something, I am not really into cosmetics kasi ligo-bilis-alis na ang peg ko kapag umaalis ako. but now? not anymore (i think) because I have reputation to uphold (chos! hahahahaha) anyways back to the product review.

BB CREAM, to be honest this is my first time to use BB cream so I cannot compare the result of this product to other products. The product is really good, it does blends on your skin when applying so you don’t have to worry about uneven skin tone when using this. good for oil control and it can be use as makeup base or with foundation. in addition, this BB cream is waterproof and healthy because of whitening function and anti-wrinkles which keeps the skin smooth and beautiful 🙂

Though, It doesn’t cover the pimples or eye dark circle so if you want to have an outcome that covers pimples use it with foundation (I think? I am not an expert on make up. sorry) also, if your face is peeling, don’t use it or it will clog on your skin. (yeah base on experience since, my nose is peeling so I have to apply moisturizer after I applied the BB cream to removed the cream that clogged on my nose.) but other than that this product is superb 🙂

Hayan Face Silky Powder. after applying the BB cream, I applied face silky powder to lessen the shininess of my face due to the BB cream. I should say it’s okay actually it is more than okay. BB cream and this face silky powder really compliments each other. Also, I used this powder even without the BB cream and the result is better than using any other powder.

Here’s my face after I applied the BB cream and the silky face powder. with blush-on, eyeliner and eye shadow.

Will surely purchase this product even without discounts or promo 🙂 It is worth the money.

So, this is my first review. I convinced myself that I shouldn’t do a review on any products or shops because I don’t want them (readers) to criticized me or anything. Plus I just really don’t want to. but as I changed my mind (because I am a girl, and a girl has a right to change her mind for million times) here’s my first review. Hope it will help you somehow.

My first waxing salon is Lay Bare and I must say I am a loyal client/customer since 2010. I’ve never visit any other waxing salon other than this one. why? because of these reasons:

Lay Bare is the cheapest waxing salon. (170 for underarm waxing and 110 for eyebrow threading) but they don’t lack on making their customers comfortable and well-served.

They have 15 % off and free eyebrow threading on your birthday month.

Their crews are friendly and accommodating.

They have 40 branches now and I’ve visited 3 of them. Market Market! branch, SM Manila branch and SM San Lazaro branch. the nearest branch from home is SM San Lazaro though I only visited there only twice because I don’t want the services I’ve got. Their service is a little bit hasty. At first I thought it was only the crew that was hasty and gave an unsatisfied experienced so I tried for the second time. and still the service was not good. So ever since even if it’s far and need to ride two PUJ to visit the SM Manila branch I go there instead.

SM manila branch, if I rated this branch being 10 is the highest score, they will score probably 8. Super accommodating and the service is above satisfaction. why 8? because there’s always a room for improvement. right?

Lastly, The Market Market! branch. it was my first time today to visit this branch since it is the nearest from my office. The branch is a little bit small than the other branches I visited. though, they gave an outstanding service. there’s nothing hair left on my underarm today which is a two thumbs up for me, plus the crews are accommodating and friendly. the crew that was assigned to me is magaan ang kamay! as in supereverytime kasi na magpapaeyebrow threading ako laging may luha, sa kanya kasi wala. so 4 thumbs up 🙂 I recommend ate Mith to do the waxing for you.

So there you go. all in all, I recommend Lay Bare! So when you see hair, it’s time to LAY BARE. 🙂

A programmer who needs an escape from her reality when the world is against her. My Sweetest Escape by Sidney Buenaventura is a personal blog about fashion, travel, food, motherhood and everything in between.